We’re, er … um… I’m Expanding!

In addition to the Bramble Berry building project, my sweet husband and I have been working on a little personal project of our own. We are expecting our first child, the first grandchild in my family, on our 4 year wedding anniversary (no really, that’s the actual due date). Come April, we’ll have one new Brambleberrian to add to our team.

We found out on a very special day – my husband’s graduation for his Masters in Business Administration. Ironically, he had been telling me that he didn’t want a baby until he graduated. And in a stroke of amazing timing, when the entire family was here for his celebration, we added an extra little teensy sunflower-sized celebration to the day. Chris was sweet enough to share his day of glory with his firstborn.

This is the baby’s first picture – taken at 6 weeks:

This is the latest picture – taken at 12 weeks:

Totally loving the excuse to eat cupcakes and ice cream.

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Thanks Lynn! I just had a cupcake (Red Velvet). It was delicious. Twins?That would have blown my mind. I’m already feeling shell-shocked about theone. Morning sickness was not fun but seems to be on the wane and I am sothankful for that. Also, I never puked from morning sickness so I think Ihad it incredibly easy and feel thankful =)))

Congrats from us here in Australia- i remember my last pregnancy, IVF assisted, and foun dout at 6 weeks i was having twins….. they turned 13 last week.Time will fly… and hope you dont suffer too much from Morning sickness or heartburn.have to send yo osmething very non-gender based form here in Australia- see what i can find! 🙂

No judgment – you’re trying the best you can with the resources you have available. And independent children who grow up to think for themselves and not be followers are a good thing. Don’t ‘should’ all over yourself. I’m sure you’re doing a great job juggling it all.

I was just stopping by after not visiting for a couple of months, just in time to read your great news! I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now and am so happy to see that you have finally !!! got a little one on the way 🙂 Congratulations to both you and your hubby and all the best for the future! Can’t wait to ‘meet’ your little BrambleBaby 🙂

Congratulations to you! I can imagine how happy you and your husband are! Our first child will come between 22.-25 december 2010 🙂 You can see a video of our boy (called Lukas) on my blog, taken at 14 weeks 🙂 Enjoy your pregnancy, it´s so long but nevertheless too short 🙂Stefanie

Ultrasound – Sonograph. I’m never sure what to call it. It was really neat what the technician was able to do. She’d say thing like, “Let’s get under it so we can get a better view” and all kinds of fun stuff like that and then whooosh! new view. It was really cool. =) Thanks for your note. I feel like I know all of my blog commenters because I read everyone’s blogs in return and keep up on their lives too =)

Wow! That is an amazing coincidence. I guess great minds think alike, eh? =)

I’m getting my energy back now (thank goodness – those 8 p.m. bedtimes were ridiculous!) and morning sickness is slacking off too so that’s been a welcome change. I just can’t wait to find out the sex of the baby!

Congratulations to you too! You must be so excited to be having that baby girl – and she will be extremely well protected with two older brothers. I hope you have a safe and happy rest of your pregnancy and an easy 4 hour (apparently the ideal according to my doc) delivery. =)

I know! It was completely mind blowing to see the baby at 12 weeks versus 6. At 6, it sort of looked like an ant – and I was excited but the WOW factor of the 12 week sonogram was very impressive. We were both blown away by how much the baby was moving (lots and lots and lots of kicking). =)

Four boys – you are a saint! I think our ideal is 2 children but I’ll let you know after this one. I just have no idea what to expect even though I’m reading all the books, the magazines, the chat rooms etc… I don’t think anything can accurately prepare you! =)

I’m working out daily but with much less vigor than before. Lots of long walks, yoga and pilates – not so much on the running anymore. I started cramping right away in my 1st month with the running so quit that early on. That may account for a few of those first-trimester weight gain pounds. Ha ha.

Yes, we are so lucky that both my husband and I are self employed. He works at a quiet office though (engineering) and Bramble Berry’s office are just one step short of controlled chaos so the baby will fit in here fantastic. I think the Pack’n’Play is going to be our friend! =)

Thanks for your comment. It is so sweet of you to share your experience.

I just turned my treadmill into a desk, but if I get pregnant, I’m blaming you! :)_ At 46 I’m not sure that’s even possible.

I have four boys and each one of them is a precious gem. You’re going to be very busy, but you’re also going to have the greatest joy, most frustration and most precoius satisfaction of your life. I don’t comment much. I learn here. I’ve learned a lot more here than I can ever thank you and your guests for. So, with that in mind, may your pregnancy go over by one day (preemie mom here), your back not ache and you’re able to exercise throughout. As long as I could it made me feel better. Till I got bed-rest, which you won’t. You have a wonderful husband and may he be as wonderful as mine. There are many nights I was never woken (first two were adopted). You’re going to be a great mom and you can go to the office together! My dream is a full family business. I hope your child is all you dream about and enough of a challenge to keep you on your toes, but getting enough sleep. I think it’s a girl, which practically assures a boy. LOL!!

congratulations!!!!!! a child will bring you the most joy you have ever had. remember that a child only needs three things to become a success in life. 1-food….2- water…….3- your love. scapegoat soaps is very happy for you and your family, we have six.

AHHHH I am so happy for both of you!! Even when don’t know you personally, I feel like we are great friends, so this are great news, and you are very sweet to share it with all of us!. I have four kids and I love being a mom, best job in the world. Again, Congrats!!!

Wow that’s great news. I’m so happy for you. I remember when I had my first, it was just like yesterday. Nothing brings more joy then a baby. They grow up fast, cherish every moment with them, because before you know it they are all grown up.

I have been a stay at home mom for 19yrs and my youngest is 12. I would not have ever chose to do anything else. The only thing I regret is having one more after our youngest. But we are blessed and so are you. I LOVED being pregnant. The whole thing was a miracle to me and even when I felt a bit yucky, I just marveled in the whole process. Congratulations to you and Chris! You are going to do great!

Definitely thrilled and feeling thankful about my husband’s graduation. He worked so hard on that degree – working FT at his own company and going to school and night and studying all weekend. He is going to be a great dad!

I feel like I know all my soaping friends IRL too so no worries there. =) My only regret about the timing (and really, there is zero regret, so it’s like a little twinge) is that I’m going to miss the Handmade Soap Guild Convention because it’s right in the baby-birth time. =( But hopefully we’ll have a little BrambleBaby to bring to the 2012 one.

Congratulations to you too! It is definitely a new experience for me. I am glued to my ‘What to Expect’ book right now because every little twinge and side effect is a surprise to me. =) I hope your pregnancy goes smoothly too. =)

I am thankful to have your good wishes. I’m a bit fearful that my very round face will just look like a massive beach ball but we can hope that you are right! =))) We are both delightful and I’m totally fine with the beach ball look for the next six months. I can handle anything for six months, right? =) (ha ha)

Yeah, it is incredible timing isn’t it? My husband is charmed that way. We met on April 30th, he proposed on April 30th, we married on April 30th and now our first born is due on April 30th =) What are the odds?

Much better now but I had evening sickness for most nights in the first trimester. It was not my favorite three months. And the foods I had to eat to make my tummy quick being sick? Ugh. If I never see macaroni and cheese again, I think I will be just fine. =) It will all be worth it for a perfect little BrambleBaby!

I’m having a great time eating one dessert per day without guilt (a first in my life!) and really loving the science part of being pregnant. It is really interesting to me how the baby develops and that’s definitely been the best part, so far. I know the best is yet to come … in 6 months!

Congratulations to you, Anne and your husband!!!! You will have a new little one soap making for sure in the family!!! You will see that your baby will be the best and a unique project of your life.Enjoy a lot your pregnancy, eat cupcakes, icecream and just be very happy!!! Also enjoy each month and years they grow so fast, and when you realize they have 8 years old…. it happened to me. Don’t miss any episodes of his or her life!!Take care a lot too!!!Sincerely,Mariana from Mar D. Jabones

Anne Marie, what wonderful news. I am so very happy for both of you. Life is good, but it’s even better with children in the mix. I am certain you will look radiant throughout your pregnancy. May health, happiness, and no-morning sickness be with you.

Congratulations Anne-Marie! May you and your family enjoy all the blessings of the birth of a new child. May you enjoy good health and happiness. May you know all the love and supreme honor of motherhood. Many blessings!

Congratulations!!! I let out a little *gasp* when I read the subject line, and said to myself, “Oh yay! Anne-Marie!!!”… like I know you IRL, hah!Wishing you a wonderful, healthy, happy pregnancy!Enjoy your cupcakes & ice cream!

Don’t I know it! I once put on 5 pounds over a “Aw heck, I’ll lose it all after the holidays” lapse in judgement. Though that was over a decade ago, I still recall how long it took to take it off. I’m at the max of what I should gain for the first trimester but the doc said I was so thin to start with that they weren’t surprised I packed it on. That said, the month of nausea that was only quelled by white food may have had something to do with it too! :))

Congrats! Enjoy the cupcakes and ice cream, but remember, it’s not always easy to take it off after baby! I hope that you enjoy a healthy and happy pregnancy. I look forward to seeing pictures when your Bramble-baby is born 🙂

Annmarie,At the end of my work day I am always excited to see what you have been up to. Todays post is the “bestest “ever. Congratulations to both of you. Enjoy every moment and thank you for sharing with us.

BIG News Anne-Marie, we at Mindfly are so happy for you & your husband. I’ve been at it for a year now, this motherhood thing, and they’re right, it IS worth it. I wish you a pleasant pregnancy & speedy delivery.

Great news! Enjoy, and hope your little one brings you as much joy and opportunities for inspiration as mine. I am what is commonly called an ‘old’ labor and delivery nurse, and the awe and wonder never wears off. Now, quick- go get a cupcake.

That is so exciting! What are the odds? I’ve been feeling tired but overall pretty good. I’m excited to be done with morning sickness, which primarily hit me in the evenings and middle of the night. 🙂 Congratulations to you and your family!!

oh anne-marie! you are blessed! congrats to you and your husband:) you are on your way to a whole new adventure…its so great being a mommy. FYI, get all the sleep you can NOW, and really really savor it- every beautiful minute of it…really;D LOL, have a cupcake for me!

Let me tell you, those Grandparents are going to be in HEAVEN.. We just celebrated the Arrival of our first Grandchild Oct 1 and I swear I am so in love with that lil man!! He is our sons first,as well..

take care of yourself and READ read read to the Lil Bramble Bee as much as possible as well as listen to music- You would be surprised the effect it has on a baby,even this young!!

Congrats!!! and what a coincidence!!! Im expecting my first child too, its the first grandchild in my family, my due date is in my 3rd year anniversary in april and I have about 12 weeks too!!! And I looooove soapmaking!!!

Oh this is the best post ever!!! Congrats!! I don’t know you, but feel like I do as I have been a daily follower and customer for a year now. Becoming a mother is the best gift in the world 🙂 I’m also currently attending sonograph school (aka ultrasound) so I like to see your pics of your ultrasound. Thank you for sharing AM.

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